Franklin, New Hampshire — An under-the-radar New Hampshire ski area has been making strides in recent years, while also keeping skiing affordable for the community.
Veteran’s Memorial Recreation Area has been able to expand its operational schedule thanks to a recently installed snowmaking system on the lower mountain. Lift tickets during ski season are very affordable, and even free at times, thanks to sponsorships.
Meanwhile, it has also become a busy place in the summer, with the addition of mountain biking trails, hiking routes, and events. The Vets is situated in a small city that has been betting on recreational tourism, as the region’s first whitewater park opened there a few years ago.
The next priorities for the ski area involve enhancing the experience for beginners and improving their snowmaking capabilities. A capital campaign has been started to install a new conveyor lift and more snowmaking equipment. The conveyor lift will be located next to the rope tow, allowing for easier lessons. In terms of snowmaking, a water pumping capacity upgrade will enable more effective use of their two fan guns. Previously only having a capacity of 80 gallons per minute, the ski area will now be able to produce 120 gallons per minute.
You can donate to the campaign here.
Future Plans
While these are significant projects, a major one is on the horizon. Veteran’s Memorial stated that its T-Bar likely only has one season yet for reliable operations. Initially situated at Mount Sunapee’s Sun Bowl, it was later installed at Vet’s in the late 1960s. Its operational ability is limited at this point, as breakdowns do happen when it’s open for skiing. The goal is to replace it with a surface lift, such as a new T-Bar. The expected price is between $500k-$1,000,000.
Other potential future projects include lodge renovation, converting the rope tow from gasoline to electric power, creating a terrain park, developing easier mountain biking trails, modifying the disc golf course, and installing a covered stage for events.
Image Credits: Veterans Memorial Recreation Area (Franklin Outing Club)
